Rail mounting apparatus, system and method of securing devices to a structure

Abstract

A retention apparatus, system and method is useful for attaching items, panels or other devices to a rail formed in longitudinal lengths and configured with a cross-sectional profile having multiple cooperating structures between the rail and a channel nut. Self-aligning, mating structures include a recess formed between a tooth and shelf on an interior first channel portion of the rail and a flange of the channel nut with concurrent mating of an anchor latch of the rail and a hook flange on the channel nut. Latching of the channel nut is accomplished initially by compression of the biasing element as the channel nut is inserted and then, upon release, biasing element-induced movement of the channel nut into a latching position. Grounding spikes on the biasing element form electrical contact points between the rail, the clamp and the frame of the solar panel or other device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A retention system for securing one or more devices to a structure, the retention system comprising:
 a rail characterized by a longitudinal length including a channel nut receiver having at least two receiver anchor portions therein;   one or more channel nuts, each channel nut including:
 a channel nut body, 
 at least two channel nut anchor portions extending outwardly from said channel nut body, each channel nut of said one or more channel nuts being configured in a dimension to be received within said channel nut receiver, a respective one of said at least two channel nut anchor portions being configured to couple to a respective one of said at least two receiver anchor portions, and the other one of said at least two channel nut anchor portions being configured to couple to the other one of said receiver anchor portions, to thereby provide a counter-balanced, rigid attachment to said rail when said channel nut of said one or more channel nuts is in an assembled configuration with said rail and said one or more devices, 
 a receiver slot formed within said channel nut body, said receiver slot including an inlet, and 
 an attachment opening for securing the one or more devices thereto, said attachment opening formed within a surface of said channel nut body; 
   a biasing element configured to operably couple to a respective one of each channel nut of said one or more channel nuts, each biasing element including:
 a biasing element body, 
 a resistance arm extending outwardly from said biasing element body, said resistance arm having one or more channel tabs configured to be received in said inlet and/or said receiver slot of said channel nut, 
 a lever arm extending outwardly from said resistance arm, and 
 a fulcrum formed between said resistance arm and said lever arm, said lever arm configured to deflect, with respect to said resistance arm, upon application of a force; and 
   a rail attachment portion configured to attach said rail to said structure,   wherein, during installation said biasing element is configured to hold the channel nut in the correct position and orientation with respect to said rail, while said one or more devices are moved into position and subsequently coupled to said attachment opening of said channel nut.   
     
     
         2 . The retention system of  claim 1 , wherein said biasing element further comprises a conductive metal and one or more grounding spikes formed in said biasing element body and configured for electrical grounding of the one or more devices to said retention system. 
     
     
         3 . The retention system of  claim 1  further comprising a bracket coupled to said rail attachment portion, said bracket configured to couple said one or more devices to said structure.